The Royal Titles of the True King

THE ROYAL TITLES OF THE TRUE KING

An Exposition of Isaiah 9:6

By Pastor Brian Wilbur

Date: December 24, 2025

Series: Advent

Note: Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Introduction

Christmas Eve is one of the most special times of the year. We get to step away from the everyday and set our mind on the Divine Savior who entered into our disoriented world in order to bring salvation. As one Christmas song puts it: “the King of kings salvation brings”![1] Salvation from what? Salvation from the disorientation caused by human sin. When we go God’s way, there is peace and joy. But when we depart from God’s way and go our own way instead, we experience God’s displeasure and land in the realm of sorrow and death.

The Scriptural Text

I would like to direct our attention to Isaiah 9:6, which says:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

The context of the promise: spiritual darkness

Let’s begin by remembering the context in which this beautiful promise was made. Isaiah chapters 1-8 tell us about a world that was upside down because of sin. For example:

• “Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged.” (Isaiah 1:4)

• “Their land is filled with idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their own fingers have made.” (Isaiah 2:8)
• “and he [the LORD] looked for justice, but behold, bloodshed; for righteousness, but behold, an outcry!” (Isaiah 5:7b)

• “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20)

• “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” (Isaiah 6:5)

Did you catch the words that describe their world – and our world? Laden with iniquity. Filled with idols. Bloodshed and bitterness. Injustice and uncleanness. Darkness and evil. The very end of Isaiah 8 describes more of the same: those who have turned away from God have completely lost their way: they have no light, they are “greatly distressed and hungry” (Isaiah 8:21), desperate and “enraged” (Isaiah 8:21), only able to see “distress and darkness, the gloom of anguish” (Isaiah 8:22), and finally “thrust into thick darkness” (Isaiah 8:22). That is the inevitable world that results when human beings seek to operate apart from God, apart from God’s wisdom and grace.

The entire Bible warns that God’s righteous judgment falls on sinners who dig in their heels and prefer to remain glued to their sin. But the Bible also promises forgiveness and renewal for anyone who turns from his sin and entrusts himself to the mercy of God. As part of this promise of mercy, forgiveness, and renewal, God long ago promised that He would send a special Deliverer to bring salvation to everyone who puts their confidence in Him.

Light in the darkness

So, at the beginning of Isaiah 9, there is a word of hope – and this word of hope is pointing toward the coming of the King that we read about in verse 6. Look at verses 1-2:

“But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has shone light.” (Isaiah 9:1-2)

When the light shines upon the land of darkness, the darkness flees away and the people learn to breathe easy again. When we turn to the pages of the New Testament, we learn that Jesus is the true light who comes into this darkened world:

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:4-5, 9-13)

If you are here this evening and you feel the weight of darkness and disrepair, you need to understand that the answer that the Bible gives for your dilemma is to welcome Jesus into your mess. He is the light who is able to lead you, the life who is able to raise you up, the Savior who is able to bring you into fellowship with the Father in heaven.

The coming of the King is a gift to us

In Isaiah 9:6, notice that the coming of the King is a gift to us: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given”. It’s not just that “a child is born” and “a son is given”, but that this male child is born and given as a gift to us, for our benefit. This same concept is echoed in the angel’s words to the shepherds when the Christ-child was born: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Many of us exchange gifts with our family members at Christmastime. You take time to imagine what sort of gift would bless a loved one; then you make or purchase that gift; then you wrap it, write the recipient’s name on it, and place it under the tree. The gift is neither impersonal nor random. It is thoughtful, intentional, and directed to a specific recipient. This gift is just for them! Isn’t it wonderful to receive a thoughtful gift? Well, there is no more wonderful gift in all the world than the Father’s gift of His Son to you and me: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) As wonderful as it is to receive a thoughtful gift, Jesus taught us that: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Do you realize that there is great joy in the Father’s heart when anyone lays down his or her sin and eagerly receives Jesus as the greatest gift ever given (see Luke 15:7, 10)?

The true King

This child that was born in Bethlehem, this son that was given to us in the Incarnation of God’s Son, is in fact the true King for whom we were made: “and the government shall be upon his shoulder”. He bears the load for our good. This thought is picked up again in verse 7:

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (Isaiah 9:7)

Government as God designed it is not about the selfish use of power in order to enrich and glorify yourself. Government as God designed it is about exercising authority on God’s behalf in order to serve others. Therefore, a faithful King is One who embodies justice and righteousness in His own life, who sets an example of walking with integrity in the light of God’s Word, who serves the public good through the wise administration of justice, who protects the weak and vindicates those who have been unjustly oppressed, and who facilitates peace among people. Although the fullness of the peace, justice, and righteousness of Jesus’s kingdom awaits future fulfillment, even now His reign has been inaugurated in the church. As a church family, it is our privilege to embody the characteristics of the kingdom of Christ.

The royal titles of the true King

Verse 6 continues: “and his name shall be called”. The name given to the child-king in verse 6 isn’t a first name, but is, in fact, four distinguished royal titles.

The state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II took place on September 19, 2022. At the funeral, a statement was read in relationship to the new monarch, King Charles III, and several titles were ascribed to him. Charles III is called “the Most High, Most Mighty and Most Excellent Monarch”; “our Sovereign Lord”; “King”; “Head of the Commonwealth”; “Defender of the Faith”; and “Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter”.[2] That is an impressive array of titles! And yet, it falls flat, doesn’t it? We know that Charles is a flawed man just like the rest of us. We know that Charles isn’t worthy of the lofty titles ascribed to him. We know that Charles is profoundly unable to secure lasting peace and prosperity for the citizens of the commonwealth.

But with respect to our Lord Jesus Christ, the four royal titles assigned to Him correspond to His actual character and to His actual ability to secure the well-being of His people.

WONDERFUL COUNSELOR

“[And] his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor”. King Jesus is a wonderful, marvelous, and astonishing Counselor, Teacher, and Guide. R. C. Sproul shares this important insight:

“It’s striking that he is described as a “counselor.” That term was usually used in Old Testament times to describe not the king himself but the king’s most trusted advisor. But here the king himself is the counselor. He doesn’t need an advisor to teach him how to rule in justice and in wisdom because he in himself has wisdom in full measure.”[3]

Jesus is the King who doesn’t need a cabinet of advisors to furnish Him with knowledge and wisdom. When the Wonderful Counselor was twelve years old, he was “in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” (Luke 2:46-47) When Jesus taught the people during the days of His public ministry, “the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.” (Matthew 7:28-29)

Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14), the embodiment of truth (John 14:6), the One “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). We must learn from Him.

MIGHTY GOD

“[And] his name shall be called… Mighty God”. One resource says this about the Hebrew word that is rendered mighty:

“The term denotes a person (or occasionally God Himself) characterized by superior strength, courage, capability and influence. While the majority of references are to military heroes, the word also embraces leaders of civic life, champions of justice, models of moral strength and, supremely, the LORD who saves.”[4]

King Jesus is Divine Warrior, Divine Hero, Divine Champion – and He puts all of His authority and power onto the battlefield of this present world in order to defeat the powers of darkness, rescue His people, and build a global missional community called the church against which “the gates of hell shall not prevail” (Matthew 16:18). Remarkably, His most powerful act was to lay down His life as a sacrifice for sin. He wins by losing, He defeats death by dying, He atones for sin by shedding His own blood, He conquers through suffering. What strength must one have in order to face treachery, desertion, misunderstanding, injustice, mockery, public shame, crucifixion, and thick darkness, and yet never sin, never complain, never threaten, never take cheap shots, never have an ounce of resentment arise in His heart, never waver from the resolute determination to carry out His task and redeem His people. Jesus is the Warrior King who leaves everything on the battlefield, dies, and then rises again with victory in hand.

EVERLASTING FATHER

“[And] his name shall be called… Everlasting Father”. Though not to be confused with God the Father, nevertheless Jesus the Son is a Father to His people forever. Jesus does what any good father does, which is to take initiative to secure the well-being of His children. Good fathers step up and shoulder the responsibilities of the household, and they see to it that their children are safe and well supplied, and with that goal in mind they make sacrifices and bear the cost. Good fathers also pass onto their children what is worth passing on: the riches of the faith, the lessons of the wise, the teachings of the Book, and the virtues of good character. All of this wrapped up in love, with a gracious and generous disposition, is characteristic of a good father. Imagine that gracious scene in Mark 2 when Jesus, the Everlasting Father, said to the paralyzed man: “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5) Picture that merciful moment in Luke 8 when Jesus, the Everlasting Father, said to the woman who had touched His garment and been healed: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48) Behold that sacred scene just a few verses later when Jesus, the Everlasting Father, said to a dead child: “Child, arise.” (Luke 8:54) Gaze upon that suspenseful moment in John 21 when Jesus, the Everlasting Father, unrecognized on shore, put this question to His disciples who had gone fishing but had caught nothing: “Children, do you have any fish?” (John 21:5) Of course, He had a glorious surprise in store for them!

When we turn to the Book of Revelation, there we read that “the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be [our] shepherd, and he will guide [us] to springs of living water” (Revelation 7:17). Jesus the Lamb who died for us, will be Everlasting Father to us – Everlasting Shepherd, Everlasting Provider, Everlasting Guide.

PRINCE OF PEACE

And finally, “his name shall be called… Prince of Peace”. If people were told that if they snapped their fingers, earthly peace would result, many people would do it. But when people are told to repent of their sins and begin doing the things that actually make for peace, the response is less than enthusiastic. Snapping our fingers is easy and doesn’t cost us anything. Breaking away from patterns of sin and selfishness is an entirely different matter.

However, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that the crown prince of heaven, the One through whom and for whom all things were made, has secured true and lasting peace for all who trust Him. King Jesus is not interested in enforcing an outward peace by the application of external pressures and external punishments. Read Isaiah 9:6 alongside Isaiah 53:5, which says, “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5) He achieves peace for His people by dying for our sins and winning our hearts to His holy love.

The first order of business for the Prince of Peace is to enable sinners to have peace with God. Sin is a stubborn barrier between sinners and God. Jesus made peace by shedding His blood on the cross, so that sinners like you and me could be forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God (Colossians 1:19-23). When we have peace with God, we also get to enjoy having the peace of God stand guard over our hearts and bring rest to our souls (Philippians 4:7).

The second order of business for the Prince of Peace is to enable His people to have peace with each other. Time and again, Jesus instructs us to be kind and tenderhearted to one another, to forgive one another and make peace, to be patient and gentle, and to go out of our way to serve one another in an attitude of love (Ephesians 4:1-3, 32). He sent the Holy Spirit to transform us into a beautiful peacemaking community.

The larger meaning of peace – of shalom – is the comprehensive well-being that results from living as God intends. When we walk with God together as a community, we prosper in hundreds of ways – we are productive, we are collaborative, we share what we have with one another, we help each other and meet pressing needs, and we feast and laugh and work and play together.

Conclusion

As Wonderful Counselor, Jesus counsels us in the way of peace. As Mighty God, Jesus is the Divine Warrior who lays down His life to make peace. As Everlasting Father, Jesus has that confidence and security that settles our own hearts and makes them peaceable in His presence. As Prince of Peace, Jesus is the key to every dimension of true peace. He is the One through whom we draw near to God and in whom we are brothers and sisters to each other.

As we live in fellowship with King Jesus, as we embody His peace, righteousness, and justice in our lives, His intention is that the good news of His kingdom is made manifest throughout the world through us, so that more and more people might be rescued out of the darkness and reclaimed for the light.

One Christmas song provides an apt finale to this message:

“Break forth, O beauteous heav’nly light,

And usher in the morning;

Ye shepherds, shrink not with affright,

But hear the angel’s warning.

This Child, now weak in infancy,

Our confidence and joy shall be.

The pow’r of Satan breaking,

Our peace eternal making. 

“He comes, a Child, from realms on high,

He comes the heav’ns adoring;

He comes to earth to live and die,

A broken race restoring.

Athough the King of kings is He,

He comes in deep humility;

His people to deliver,

And reign in us forever.”[5]

ENDNOTES

[1] From “What Child Is This?” by William C. Dix

[2] See Wikipedia entry, “List of titles and honours of Charles III”, available online: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_titles_and_honours_of_Charles_III

[3] R. C. Sproul, The Advent of Glory: 24 Devotions for Christmas. Published by The Good Book Company, 2024: p. 82.

[4] From “Topical Lexicon” under Bible Hub’s entry for “1368. gibbor”. Available online: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/1368.htm.

[5] “Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light”, by Johann Rist (stanza 1, translated by John Troutbeck) and Joseph Barlowe (stanza 2). In The Hymnal for Worship & Celebration. Waco: Word Music, 1986: p. 129.